Light agenda at short-staffed Galion City Council meeting

GALION — It was a short meeting for Galion City Council on Tuesday evening with only five members in attendance and only two pieces of legislation on the agenda.

Council members Susan Bean and Shirley Clark were excused from the meeting that began with a request from Dennis Long, a 15-year member of the city’s health board that oversees the city’s health department, for council to appoint a member to its board.

“We need the vacant seat filled,” said Long of the board that currently only has four members and needs a fifth to be able to conduct business properly.

An ordinance regarding material bids and another for airport consulting could not be passed as emergencies because not enough council members were present. Mayor Tom O’Leary requested a special council meeting be held before Jan. 24 due to time constraints on the issues. Council president Carl Watt said a meeting will be scheduled before that date.

O’Leary said several applications have been received from potential new businesses inquiring about the CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) tax credits in Galion.

He also said water and sewer funds were in better shape than anticipated at the end of 2016, but the electric fund needs analyzed.

“I have enlisted Saville to look at ways we can reduce the cost,” O’Leary said of the city’s consulting firm.

The next regular council meeting is at 7 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Galion Municipal Building.